Category: Events

From SkyNews: https://news.sky.com/story/uk-heatwave-latest-weather-live-wildfire-summer-13571553?postid=12209036#liveblog-body?

Temperatures will climb north of 30C today and could hit 38C in some places on Thursday. Thousands of homes are without water amid widespread drought conditions, and firefighters are still battling a blaze in the New Forest. It’s led to the PM calling a COBRA meeting. Follow the latest.

UK on course for hottest summer on record, Met Office says

The UK is on course for its hottest summer on record, the Met Office has said.

As things stand, the UK is well above its mean average temperature for summer so far (1 June to 10 August).

Currently it stands at 16.48C, which is 1.88C above the 1991-2020 average. 

To become the confirmed hottest summer on record, the remainder of August can actually experience weather below the 1991-2020 average.

England has experienced even hotter temperatures than the rest of the UK, with a mean summer temperature 2.46C above the previous record.

If it comes to pass, this summer would surpass the record set only last year. Met Office senior scientist Mike Kendon said: 

“Another record-breaking summer now looks increasingly likely for the UK, following the second-warmest June, and second-warmest July on record and yet another heatwave imminent.”

Pointing to repeated occasions in which the UK experienced temperatures of 35C or more, Kendon added:

 “These statistics are a clear reminder – if one were needed – of the stark changes that we are seeing in the UK’s climate.” 

Advancing Responsible and Sustainable Business Leadership

WORLD BUSINESS FORUM & AWARDS
22 September 2026 • 11.00 am – 2.30 pm • The East India Club (16 St. James’s Square, London)

About This Event
The World Business Forum & Awards marks the official launch of the World Business Chamber (WBC), an independent, non-aligned platform for ethical, responsible and sustainable business leadership. Operating across the major trade blocs of Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East, WBC is designed to be a trusted bridge between government, business and civil society at a time when geopolitical tensions and shifting trade patterns are making cross-border investment increasingly complex.
This half-day Forum brings together senior business leaders, policymakers and institutional partners for substantive dialogue on the challenges reshaping global trade and investment. The programme culminates in the presentation of the inaugural World Business Awards, recognising organisations and individuals advancing responsible and sustainable business practice, as WBC is formally inaugurated as a new voice for responsible growth.
Programme
11.00 am – 11.50 pm
Registration and Networking
11.50 am – 12.00 pm
WELCOME SPEECH
Tun Dato’ Seri Zaki Tun Azmi
Patron, World Business Chamber (WBC); Former Chief Justice, Malaysia and; Former Chief Justice, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts
12.00 pm – 12.45 pm
SPECIAL PANEL DISCUSSION
Navigating Geopolitical Risks and Geoeconomic Challenges: Building Resilience and Strengthening Sustainability
Proposed Speakers:
The Rt Hon. Lord Jonathan Marland
Chairman, Global Board of Advisers, World Business Chamber; Chairman, Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council; Former Trade Envoy of the British Prime Minister and; Former Minister of Energy and Climate Change, UK
Baroness Manzila Pola Uddin
Member of the House of Lords UK

Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid
Chairman, International Executive Council, World Business Chamber (WBC); President, ASEAN Business Club; Founding Chairman, Securities Commission Malaysia and; Former Chairman, ASEAN Business Advisory Council Malaysia
H.E. Kim Heung-chong
Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Mr Andrew Khoo
Co-Chairman, World Business Chamber (WBC) & Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The MUI Group
Ms Lai Mei Sim, OBE DL
His Majesty’s The King’s Representative for London Borough of Brent (2007-2026) & Chairman, British Malaysia Society (2018-2026)
Moderator: Sir Iqbal Sacranie
Vice-President, World Business Chamber (WBC) & Chairman, Muslim Trade Forum (MTF)
12.45 pm – 1.00 pm
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Proposed Speaker: Lord Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London (TBC)
1.00 pm – 1.05 pm
Toast to the King
1.05 pm – 2.00 pm
Lunch
2.00 pm – 2.25 pm
PRESENTATION OF WORLD BUSINESS AWARDS
Proposed Keynote Speaker
H.E. Dato’ Indera Dr. Azfar bin Mohamad Mustafar
High Commissioner of Malaysia to the United Kingdom
Guest-of-Honour
The Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson
Former Prime Minister of United Kingdom and Former Mayor of London
Group Photography
2.25 pm – 2.30 pm
Vote of Thanks
2.30 pm Carriages

Contact
Mr Zaim Mohzani (zaim@kasi.asia) or Ms Caroline Cheong (caroline@kasi.asia)
Secretariat of the World Business Chamber (℅ KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, A-08-01, Plaza Mont Kiara, No. 2, Jalan Kiara, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
The programme is tentative as of 5 August 2026.

Mayor of London has an open consultation on libraries. In an increasingly disconnected world, our libraries are a source of connection in local communities, where diverse books are shared, author visits and language rhyme times for children take place, where immigrant families can seek helpful information and many libraries have been third party reporting centres.

Please do consider contributing your thoughts to the consultation and keep these essential services publically open and available to communities.

https://www.london.gov.uk/talk-london/topics/communities/libraries-london/discussions/1263?fbclid=PAZnRzaATebkZwZG9mAmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzEyNDAyNDU3NDI4NzQxNAABpzDCjk8FjhP5hHl5D52nbLQhvrwTYYMzmxtpqqakM6a1jib2KDJ-78iFEXx1_aem_txDwyOGThLCe4e4EsrCGLw

From the Viny Poon: Connecting People, Creating Impact — Celestia Magazine: Viny Poon is a highly accomplished community leader and talented networker, recognised for her exceptional ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. She is deeply committed to volunteering and supporting vulnerable individuals, driven by a strong sense of fairness, compassion, and social responsibility.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Viny led a dedicated team of volunteers in delivering food parcels to those in need and donated significant quantities of personal protective equipment (PPE), face masks, and thermometers to elderly residents, community centres, schools, hospitals, and care homes. She also established a support network for the local Chinese community in Bexley, which included organising online Mandarin tuition for children.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the community, Viny was honoured with the “Bexley Heroes” Award, presented by the Lord Mayor of London Borough of Bexley.

She was also the first Malaysian woman Councillor Candidate who had stood in the local Council Elections in Bexley previously.

Viny remains actively involved in Safer Neighbourhood meetings held quarterly and works closely with homeless individuals, women affected by domestic abuse, and mental health service users, helping them access support and resolve their challenges effectively.

She currently serves as a Trustee of the East and West Music Festival and the North London Chinese Association.

She’s also a Trustee of the Chinese Information and Advice Centre (CIAC) and a Founding Member of the Malaysia Association of United Kingdom (MAUK)

Viny is the former President of the Lions Club of London Covent Garden (2022–2023).

She sponsored the formation of The Lions Club of London St James’s which had its Chartered Night at Kensington Palace in May 2023.

Viny also successfully chartered the Lions Club of London West End in June 2024. She also served as Lions Club Zone A Chairperson for 2024–2025 and had recently sponsored the formation of another new club, the Lions Club of London Soho.

Passionate about preserving cultural heritage, Viny enjoys building volunteer teams to organise and promote traditional Chinese festival events, strengthening community ties and encouraging cultural exchange. Alongside her community work, she is actively engaged in the import and export of food and beverage products and is dedicated to mentoring young people, helping them build their careers and develop their leadership potential and future opportunities.

Follow here: https://www.newham.gov.uk/carersweek